Don't introduce essentials-only benefit cards and protect claimants’ freedom

Summary

Do not introduce benefits payment cards restricted to “essentials only” and keep benefits paid as normal money via bank accounts or cash access. Address fraud through targeted enforcement rather than blanket restrictions that affect all claimants. Restricted benefit cards could stigmatise disabled people, carers and low-paid workers, treating them as a lower class of citizen. Cash benefits are spent locally, supporting jobs, VAT and GDP. Evidence shows cash payments are not widely misused. Real-world essentials like transport, bills and repairs cannot be reliably restricted without causing hardship.

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